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Issue 3

Inspector Bulletin Latest updates & News feeds for Inspectors.

Experience Transfer Advice and Guidance Regulation Updates

Sea Service Verification

3.5 Does the officers’ matrix posted for the vessel
on the SIRE website accurately reflect the
ADMIRALTY Guide to ECDIS Implementation,
information relating to the officers on board at
Policy and Procedures (NP232)
the time of the inspection?
Inspectors should spot check discharge book / sea
service records to verify the accuracy of information Inspectors should note there is a new edition of the
within the matrix. above publication released that now includes
guidance on periodic maintenance of the ECDIS,
annual inspection tests, failure drills and a full
section addressing cyber security issues.

Designated Two-Way Portable Radio Equipment

4.26 Is the vessel equipped with sufficient intrinsically safe portable

radios for use on deck?
Sufficient portable radios should be available to allow communications between the cargo
We are coming across operators that are providing
control, the deck officer, the deck watch and the master, as well as the pump man if
little evidence of experience onboard as the required.
discharge books are often issued on a 5 year basis
in many countries/flags hence the officers tend to 5.43 Are crew members familiar with donning breathing apparatus and are
have only the most recent discharge book records Fireman’s Outfits in good order and ready for immediate use?
onboard and this is then causing issues for seeking For ships constructed on or after 1 July 2014, a minimum of two two-way portable
verification evidence. Officers need to maintain radiotelephone apparatus for each fire party for fire-fighter's communication shall be
evidence of their sea service experience in ranks carried on board. Those two-way portable radiotelephone apparatuses shall be of an
and on tankers as this will lead to observations if explosion-proof type or intrinsically safe. Ships constructed before 1 July 2014 shall
evidence is unavailable. comply with the requirements of this paragraph not later than the first survey after 1 July
2018. (SOLAS II-2/10.4)
Some flags such as the Danish Maritime
Administration have since 2017 maintained
records of sea service electronically such that each
seafarer will log in to their own portal to record
the sea service time. These are subject to random
verifications by the DMA. This is likely to be
further advanced in future such that all seafarers
will be able to verify on the masters computer
system such verifications.

“ Our company goals are simply stated

with the target toward No accidents, No
incidents and No negative feedback from
our customers and Employees ”
There is no requirement for the radio equipment to be located by the Fireman’s
outfits. However, as this is mandatory fire fighting equipment the radios shall be
in a known position clearly identified with IMO symbols and easily located in an
emergency. If the radios are in a separate location then the muster list shall
designate person(s) responsible for bringing the radios to the muster station /
BA control station.

AWP Marine Consultancy Ltd

EMAIL: admin@awpmarine.com TELEPHONE: +44 (0) 151 792 4882
 Please keep up to date on the latest news and the high quality services that AWP marine provided: http://awpmarine.com/
Issue 3
Inspector BulletinLatest updates & News feeds for Inspectors.
Basic Instructions to Visitors
5.12 Are the crew familiar with the location
and operation of fire and safety
equipment and have familiarisations been
effectively completed for all staff?
The company should establish procedures to
ensure that new personnel and personnel
transferred to new assignments related to
safety and protection of the environment are
given proper familiarization with their duties.
For visitors to the vessel who visit the vessel for
short periods of time, i.e. 2 to 3 days, basic
familiarisation must be completed upon
boarding, and no later than 24 hours after
joining.
7.12 Is an adequate deck watch being
maintained to prevent unauthorised
access in port?
I often find that on boarding a vessel a
significant range of guidance provided from
absolutely nothing except a cursory check of
ID and a plastic card provided with just a
number on the card to a very clear instruction
from the gangway watch and a familiarisation
checklist to go through and sign as read and
understood. From a practical perspective and
risk basis the gangway watch should be
providing visitors (aside of the security
checks) attending for the day alongside in
port the following basic information;
• Emergency alarm system
• Basic action and muster point in the
event of emergency
• Advice on the hazards (if any) with the
cargo onboard
• Advice on any other operations that
may affect the persons visit.
I hope you find this edition useful here and I that
it encourages you all to share your feedback.
Disclaimer: this material discusses OCIMF activities based on
personal experience and opinion and not necessarily in agreement
with OCIMF or OCIMF members views.
Experience Transfer Advice and Guidance Regulation Updates
Incident - Inspector Travel
Standard Scam in Spain
Recently this last weekend one of our inspectors was subject to a scam resulting in his computer,
passport and documentation stolen from his car. Below is an extract in the inspectors words as to
what happened;
I was driving on the highway from Barcelona towards Castellon after hiring the car at Barcelona
airport. Since my phone charging cables etc were in my computer bag.. I placed it on the passenger
seat for easy access.
Just before the exit for Tarragona a car on left began to overtake but then maintained the same
speed going slightly ahead and falling back. After some time a man on the passenger side began
gesticulating towards my left rear tyre...being a rental car I thought something could be the
problem...he quickly pulled ahead of me and started slowing down showing his indicator. I had no
choice but to pull up behind him on the right shoulder. He braked hard so that I was close behind him.
The man came out and with gestures asked me to come out and check the rear tyre. He kept bending
down and pointing to the brake disc. I also bent down and he took of the air filling cap and asked if I
spoke Italian.. I said no and he said get get your tools and check. He suddenly left and went to his car
and they sped off. I also got in and started to drive. After a few minutes I noticed the “door open“
warning on the dashboard.. I banged my door shut but then it turned to be the passenger side door
and when I started to close it realized my computer bag had disappeared! I then first tried to call the
rental company. No response. Then 112 and went down to Tarragona to lodge my complaint..
We have received feedback here from another local based inspector which is very much
appreciated and shared here.
Sadly this is a standard scam in Spain, unlike USA for example, hire cars are easy to identify, and
these gangs are all over.
Similar job was done to me near Valencia couple of years back.
If I may add my own advice: motorway stops are not monitored and I had a similar loss when
robbed taking a driving break, they also grabbed my stuff from the passenger seat. Now I block
access with a crate and carry a baseball bat and knife and leave in plain sight (legal in Spain, as long
as you don't use them!...true, sold in garages, but you'd need cojones to use one, these guys are
usually in pairs). Not really suitable for a hire car. Make sure doors are locked at all times, including
when driving. Put all baggage in the boot.
Never stop for anyone, especially if pointing out some 'problem'. This is the number one scam in
Spain. They also impersonate police (portable blue light trick), so if being stopped by cops, unless it's
clearly a police car, try to pull over in a garage etc.
Try to get a full tank while still light, so you don't need to stop, only use the big motorway stops,
don't go wandering round the countryside looking for some local place. Lock the doors when you go
to the desk to pay. Grab a sandwich and avoid the various 'grills' unless daylight and the car remains
in sight. Beware guys cleaning windscreens, wave them away.
Be especially careful from Cartagena towards France, it's worse around Barcelona / Tarragona.
If the foregoing sounds a bit paranoid, trust me it's not...and no airport is safe in Spain, gangs
operate in all of them and are watching you to let go of your computer bag for 5 seconds. The police
know who they are but cannot chuck them out as landside is public.
A lot of the foregoing applies everywhere I know, but in Spain it really is epidemic! To me, the
marking of hire cars is ridiculous, you might as well paint a big target on the car!
The foregoing is based on 20 plus years driving in Spain, and all has happened to me...and more!
AWP Marine Consultancy Ltd
EMAIL: admin@awpmarine.com TELEPHONE: +44 (0) 151 792 4882